Greenwich: The Prime Meridian, the Cutty Sark and a Proper Half-Day Out
- Free cancellation up to 1 hour ahead
- Skip the ticket line
- Wheelchair accessible
A proper half-day out that most first-time visitors skip in favour of staying central — a mistake. The river journey there is as good as the destination, and standing on the Prime Meridian, walking the grounds of the Old Royal Naval College, and climbing the hill in Greenwich Park for the skyline view are all genuinely worthwhile. Pair with the market for lunch.
Highlights
- Take a scenic river cruise from Westminster, hopping off at Greenwich Pier
- Stand on the Prime Meridian — Longitude 0°
- See the Cutty Sark, the last surviving tea clipper in the world
- Climb Greenwich Park hill for one of London's best skyline views
The Old Royal Naval College
Designed by Christopher Wren, the Old Royal Naval College's grounds are free to walk around, and the Painted Hall — sometimes called Britain's Sistine Chapel — is one of the most spectacular interiors in London (small entry fee). The riverside colonnades are instantly recognisable from film and television; several major productions have shot here.
The Cutty Sark
The last surviving tea clipper in the world, dry-docked at Greenwich since the 1950s. Entry (around £18.50 adult) lets you go below deck and see the cargo holds and crew quarters; the exterior, visible from the surrounding plaza, is free and still an impressive sight — the hull sits raised above a glass-roofed visitor centre.
The Royal Observatory and Prime Meridian
Up the hill in Greenwich Park, the Royal Observatory marks the Prime Meridian — the line from which all world time zones are measured. The observatory courtyard ticket (around £18.50) lets you stand directly on the brass meridian line; the view from the hill itself, looking back down over the Old Royal Naval College to Canary Wharf, is free and one of the best in London.
Greenwich Market
A covered market trading daily (fullest range Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and weekends) with antiques, crafts, and a strong street-food selection — a good, less-crowded alternative to Borough Market or Camden if you want lunch without the queues.
Getting there
The river cruise from Westminster or Tower piers is the classic route and worth doing at least once — about an hour, passing Tower Bridge, the O2, and the Isle of Dogs. By land, DLR to Cutty Sark station is fastest from the City or Canary Wharf.
Greenwich: Frequently Asked Questions
Walking around Greenwich, standing on the Prime Meridian line, exploring the market and the parkland is entirely free. The Cutty Sark (£18.50 adult), the Royal Observatory (£18.50 adult), and the National Maritime Museum galleries with special exhibitions charge separately — the main Maritime Museum galleries are free.
The most enjoyable way is by river — a Thames river cruise from Westminster or Tower piers takes about an hour and is a sight in itself. By land, the DLR to Cutty Sark station is fastest (about 25 minutes from Bank), or the Jubilee line to North Greenwich plus a bus.
The Prime Meridian — Longitude 0° — runs through the Royal Observatory Greenwich, marked by a brass line in the courtyard where visitors traditionally stand with one foot in the Eastern Hemisphere and one in the Western. Standing on the line itself in the observatory courtyard requires a ticket; the meridian line is also marked (free to see) elsewhere in the park.
A half day (4–5 hours) covers the market, the Cutty Sark exterior, the Old Royal Naval College grounds, and a walk up to the Observatory for the view. A full day allows time for the museum galleries and a proper look inside the paid attractions.
Yes — Greenwich Market trades daily, though the mix of stalls varies. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and weekends have the fullest range of antiques, crafts, and food stalls. Wednesday has a slightly reduced offering.